Anna Maria Island at a glance
Anna Maria Island is a separate barrier island north of Siesta Key, with its own beaches, towns and trolley. It makes an easy day out if you want a different stretch of Gulf coast. Plan it as a day trip by car, because there is no shared trolley between the two islands.
Once you are there, the island is simple to use. A free trolley runs the length of the island, and Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach has toilets, showers, food and lifeguards. If you would rather see the coast from the water, Siesta Key boat tours offer dolphin and sunset cruises if you want a day on the water instead. Beaches, piers, the trolley and Egmont Key are covered in the Anna Maria Island guide.
Island trolley: Route 5
The trolley costs nothing and runs 365 days a year.
Route and hours
Route 5 runs from the City Pier area along Gulf Drive to Coquina Beach, every day from 6:00 to 22:30. The stop name City Pier does not tell you whether the pier itself is open.
How often
Expect a trolley about every 20 minutes, and about every 30 minutes after 21:00. Use a live arrival time on the day rather than a fixed departure.
Not a link to Siesta Key
The Siesta Key trolley, Route 77, serves Siesta Key only. Route 5 serves Anna Maria Island only. The two do not connect.
Our pick: a guided kayak tour
Our take: this tour starts on Anna Maria Island itself and comes with a nature guide and the kayak equipment.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours near Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island
Dolphin cruises, kayak trips and Gulf coast day tours from the Sarasota and Bradenton area, with live prices and availability. Check what each option includes before you book.
Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach
Manatee Public Beach is at 4000 State Road 64/Gulf Drive. It has toilets, showers, food, play and sports areas, and a beach wheelchair mat. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00 to 17:00 all year, and from 9:00 to 19:00 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The beach opens at sunrise and closes at 22:00 unless signs say otherwise. Alcohol, glass, pets and open fires are not allowed. Drones and remote-controlled devices are banned too. Stay off the dunes.
Parking in Bradenton Beach
In Bradenton Beach the public lots are free and close at 21:00. Parking overnight is not allowed. This applies to Bradenton Beach only, so read the signs in other island towns and in private lots.
Arrive early in the morning for the easiest day, and use the trolley once you have parked so you do not have to move the car.
Sea turtles and other wildlife on the beach
Sea turtles nest on Florida's Gulf beaches from 1 May to 31 October. Keep the beach dark at night, shield or switch off lights that face the sand, take beach furniture away and fill any holes you dig. Do not touch nests or animals. The US ocean agency NOAA recommends keeping at least 50 yards (45.7 m) away from sea turtles on the beach and in the water.
The same distance rule applies to dolphins. Never feed or chase them. Stay out of the dunes and watch where you walk.
Getting to Anna Maria Island from Siesta Key
Plan on driving. Drive time depends on traffic and bridge conditions, so look at a live map on the day and leave early. Park in a public lot, then switch to the free island trolley if you want to cover more of the island.
Back on Siesta Key, the Village is a good place for dinner after a day on the island, and the main beach is the place to finish with a sunset. A full list of ways to reach the area is on the getting there page.
A simple day on Anna Maria Island
Island day trip in four steps.
Arrive early
Drive up in the morning and park in a public lot. Mornings suit the beach best, before the day gets hot.
Beach time
Spend the middle of the day at Manatee Public Beach, where lifeguards, showers and food are on hand. Respect the dune and turtle rules.
Use the trolley
Ride Route 5 to see more of the island without moving the car. Check the live arrival time instead of waiting for a fixed departure.
Head back before dark
Public lots in Bradenton Beach close at 21:00 and overnight parking is not allowed, so plan your return accordingly.
Anna Maria Island: frequently asked questions
Is the Anna Maria Island trolley free?
Yes. Route 5 is free and runs every day of the year from 6:00 to 22:30, between the City Pier area and Coquina Beach.
Can I take the Siesta Key trolley to Anna Maria Island?
No. Route 77 stays on Siesta Key and Route 5 stays on Anna Maria Island. Plan on driving between the two.
Are there lifeguards at Manatee Public Beach?
Yes, from 9:00 to 17:00 all year, and from 9:00 to 19:00 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Can I bring alcohol or my dog to Manatee Public Beach?
No. Alcohol, glass, pets and fires are not allowed there, and neither are drones.
Is parking free on Anna Maria Island?
In Bradenton Beach the public lots are free and close at 21:00, with no overnight parking. Rules in other island towns and in private lots can differ, so check the signs.
Is this the official Anna Maria Island website?
No. This is an independent travel guide for Siesta Key and the area. It is not run by or connected with any island town, the county or the trolley operator, so check current schedules with them.